The Role of Addiction Psychiatry

Addiction psychiatry focuses on understanding, preventing and treating individuals with addictions. It is
the only medical subspecialty focused on addictions that is recognized by the American Board of Medical
Examiners. Board-certified addiction psychiatrists are experts in the treatment of addictions.

Because
they are physicians, they have specific expertise in the use of medications in the treatment of addictions.
Because they are psychiatrists, they have special expertise in the recognition and treatment of co-
occurring psychiatric disorders in individuals with addictions. Some members of this field belong to the
American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, based in Providence, Rhode Island.